Using Sky+ without a subscription

Hi

I've had Sky+ for about a year and really like it; as the ads say, it's
changed the way I watch TV forever

However I find that I only ever watch programs on BBC1-4, Channel 4,
Five and (very occasionally) ITV1. As I understand most of these can be
obtained without a subscription. However I do want to continue to use
the Sky+ recording facilities.

So ... can I get a FTA card (as discussed here) and cancel or reduce my
subscription to Sky? I presume I'll still need to pay them something for
the EPG listings. Is this the case?

TIA

Glenn.

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 10:49:33 +0000, Glenn Proctor wrote:

Hi

I've had Sky+ for about a year and really like it; as the ads say, it's
changed the way I watch TV forever

However I find that I only ever watch programs on BBC1-4, Channel 4,
Five and (very occasionally) ITV1. As I understand most of these can be
obtained without a subscription. However I do want to continue to use
the Sky+ recording facilities.

So ... can I get a FTA card (as discussed here) and cancel or reduce my
subscription to Sky? I presume I'll still need to pay them something for
the EPG listings. Is this the case?

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

--
Nigel Barker
Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur

Nigel Barker wrote:

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

OK, I thought that might be the case.

So what's the procedure? Do I just cancel the Sky subscription (but not
the Sky+ subscription - I can see this causing confusion!)?

Glenn.

"Glenn Proctor" wrote in message
...
Nigel Barker wrote:

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

OK, I thought that might be the case.

So what's the procedure? Do I just cancel the Sky subscription (but not
the Sky+ subscription - I can see this causing confusion!)?

Glenn.



It will be confusing and be prepared to talk to a number of CS staff before you
get them to understand what you require, don't hesitate to ask to speak to
their superior/manager if there is any trouble.
SKY do allow people to subscriber to the SKY+ service and not take any
subscription packages, there should be an option on the menu that the CS use.

If you live in a DTT coverage area there are a number of integrated HD/Freeview
boxes on the market with more to come, might be an option if SKY take their
sweet time in scraping the fee altogether.

Mike C

Glenn Proctor wrote:
Nigel Barker wrote:

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

OK, I thought that might be the case.

So what's the procedure? Do I just cancel the Sky subscription (but
not the Sky+ subscription - I can see this causing confusion!)?

I've done it, but it was a struggle. Forget phoning CS. You'll be passed
from pillar to post. Write in instead, pointing out (with a copy attached)
that the Sky+ T&Cs make no reference to a Sky *TV* sub being required
to have Sky *Plus* functionality.

Previously, in uk.media.tv.sky:

Glenn Proctor said:

Nigel Barker wrote:

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

OK, I thought that might be the case.

So what's the procedure? Do I just cancel the Sky subscription (but not
the Sky+ subscription - I can see this causing confusion!)?

Ring Sky CS. I did and got a nice man who let me cancel the main sub
without quibbling and agreed with all my reasons (no widescreen, DOGs,
shouty presentation morons). I now pay £10 and don't miss the sub
channels one jot. If I run out of stuff on the box (with its nice
120Gb drive ) I stick a dvd on...


--
The Cardboard Voord

Previously, in uk.media.tv.sky:

Mark Carver said:

Glenn Proctor wrote:
Nigel Barker wrote:

You will still need to pay the 10 pound per month Sky+ charge.

OK, I thought that might be the case.

So what's the procedure? Do I just cancel the Sky subscription (but
not the Sky+ subscription - I can see this causing confusion!)?

I've done it, but it was a struggle. Forget phoning CS. You'll be passed
from pillar to post. Write in instead, pointing out (with a copy attached)
that the Sky+ T&Cs make no reference to a Sky *TV* sub being required
to have Sky *Plus* functionality.

I think it depends which robot you speak to. I had no problem at all.
Just stated that I wanted to cancel the Family Pack but keep the Sky+
service. Just insist, ask for someone else or ring back later. It is
possible.


--
The Cardboard Voord

Cardboard Voord wrote:
Previously, in uk.media.tv.sky:

Mark Carver said:


I've done it, but it was a struggle. Forget phoning CS. You'll be
passed from pillar to post. Write in instead, pointing out (with a
copy attached) that the Sky+ T&Cs make no reference to a Sky *TV*
sub being required
to have Sky *Plus* functionality.

I think it depends which robot you speak to. I had no problem at all.
Just stated that I wanted to cancel the Family Pack but keep the Sky+
service. Just insist, ask for someone else or ring back later. It is
possible.

I'm glad Sky CS seem to acknowledge this is now possible. I had a real
struggle two years ago, and as recently as this June two Usenet lurkers
e-mailed me off group, to seek advice. They had got nowhere with
ringing CS. Both are now happily sorted, after applying in writing.